In a fact-finding tour Arab News found that the entire city of approximately three million people has only five public toilets: Al-Tahliah Garden, in Balad, on Madinah Road, on Makkah Road and on Sari Street.
The lack of restrooms drive visitors to the city seek toilets in mosques, restaurants and petrol stations. But most of them are not open all the time and not hygienic. 
Although the municipality has decided to construct a few more public toilets along the shore the city is in dire need of such facilities throughout the city, especially areas frequented by visitors. 
“It is a shame on the municipality that this huge city with millions of visitors annually does not have public toilets,” local resident Hasan Al-Harithy told Arab News. “Mosques are only open at prayer times while restaurants resent the general public using their water closets, which are meant for customers only.”
As for the restrooms in petrol stations they are unbelievably filthy, he said, adding that they also are out of bounds for women.
“Even the paid restroom on the Corniche needs repair,” he pointed out.
“People could easily contract skin diseases and hepatitis from the unhygienic public water closets. Even doorknobs and taps could be dangerous as they are touched by ill people,” said Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdullah, an internist who recommended washing toilet seats with water or wiping them with tissue before use and to avoid touching taps and knobs with bare hands.